Senate Resolution No. 3213

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING David Dudajek upon the occasion of
his retirement after 47 years of distinguished
service to the field of community journalism

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is indelibly enriched
by the faithful and untiring efforts of those individuals who have
helped shape the history of journalism in their area; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate David Dudajek upon the occasion of his retirement after 47
years of distinguished service to the field of community journalism; he
officially retired on Friday, May 29, 2020; and

WHEREAS, David Dudajek has been Opinions Page editor of the
Observer-Dispatch since 1996; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, he joined the Observer-Dispatch as a copy editor,
after working as an editor and reporter at the Rome Daily Sentinel, and
serving two years as editor of the weekly Clinton Courier; and

WHEREAS, At the Observer-Dispatch, David Dudajek has served as copy
editor, assistant news editor, news editor, features writer and
columnist; in addition, he has handled the newspaper's Teen All-Star
project since its inception in 1992, and has worked on behalf of
Operation Sunshine for approximately 20 years; and

WHEREAS, David Dudajek enjoys playing the trumpet and is a member of
numerous area bands, including the MVCC Concert Band; he also plays Taps
at various veterans' ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, David Dudajek has been a member of the
Boilermaker Committee for more than 20 years, and has run Utica's
world-famous Boilermaker Road Race an impressive 34 times; and

WHEREAS, After an extraordinary career which traversed almost five
decades, David Dudajek truly earned the admiration, esteem and affection
of his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, David Dudajek has, throughout his career and purposeful
life, served his community with integrity and devotion, continuously
striving to meet the needs of his readers through entertainment and
enlightenment; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalists who have diligently and consistently, year
after year, recorded the history of their communities and brought local
news and news of the larger world to their readers; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate David Dudajek upon the occasion of his retirement, and to
wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to David Dudajek.